Christine Sapienza

Head of the CLAS

When asked what I do, sometimes I wish my reply could be that I were an
astrophysicist or electrical engineer. I am a speech-language pathologist
- a profession that few people understand. Even more confusing is that
the department which I chair is called Communication
Sciences and Disorders (CSD). So with every response to “What do you do?” I am met
with a befuddled look simply because most people are unfamiliar with this
discipline.

But, this is OK because as the conversation continues, I can elaborate
on my professional story and boast about my department’s accomplishments.
For instance, the CSD at UF is ranked 7th in the field of audiology and
17th in the field of speech-language pathology. These two disciplines within
CSD are staffed by internationally renowned faculty who are dedicated researchers
and clinicians. Their work as professors and instructors in hearing, speech,
and language sciences and rehabilitation offers excellent opportunities
for students who have interest in the vast array of clinical disorders,
including reading disabilities, autism, aphasia, Parkinson’s disease,
stuttering and hearing loss.

With millions of dollars in grant money, most
recently from the National Institutes of
Health and the Michael J. Fox
Foundation, we study the intricate processes of speech production and how
disease alters the multiple systems involved in communication. We have
helped from the likes of small children who can’t read with the help
of the Scottish
Rite Organization, to well- known personalities, such as
Muhammad Ali and the late Christopher Reeve.

Most importantly, CSD works to assist our community by offering exceptional
education to our students, clinical services to people in need, and research
collaboration with our colleagues, to enhance the quality of life for those
with communication disorders. Our goal is to push the limits of science
to find more effective ways to help all persons with hearing, speech, and
language disorders communicate as effectively as possible.